I attended a Christian Science lecture, and although I...

I attended a Christian Science lecture, and although I seemed to remember little of what the lecturer said, I left the church with a very clear realization that man is not material, but spiritual. This thought was still uppermost in my consciousness a few days later, when I was cleaning my daughter's dress in a bucket of naphtha. While I was rubbing the garment, with my hands in the bucket, the fumes of the naphtha exploded. The flames reached up to my face, and both my hands and wrists were involved. I shook my hands in an attempt to shake off the flames, but they seemed to blaze the more. I placed them between my knees to smother the flames, but could not. Again I raised both hands above my head. Then, like a "still small voice," came the clear realization that "man is not material; he is spiritual" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 468). I knew that the blazing hands were no part of me. When I now placed them between my knees the flames were smothered.

My heart overflows with gratitude to our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy, for her wonderful discovery that God is available in time of need to-day just as surely as He was when He saved the three Hebrews from the "burning fiery furnace" centuries ago. My face was not even discolored, although my eyebrows and eyelashes were slightly scorched. My hands and wrists were perfect with the exception of a tiny spot on one wrist. The apron I was wearing was not even scorched, although the dress I was cleaning had several holes burned in it. I felt no pain at any time.

For this experience I am very grateful. It has helped me to know that God is ever present, that He is the only real power, and that "man is not material; he is spiritual."

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June 27, 1931
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